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Category: Food

Most healthy treats don’t taste like treats at all. After nibbling on a raw vegan “chocolate”, trying to convince myself that it’s a slab of Lindt in disguise, I usually end up doing the midnight run to Engen and eating a whole box of Jolly Jammers in the car to make myself feel better. (Which totally works, by the way).

However, there’s one recipe in the universe that produces a healthy treat so perfect that I would choose it over any biscuit, chocolate or dessert. Coming from a girl who used to ask for Jolly Jammers for her birthday every year, this is not a statement to be taken lightly.

I’m trying (and failing) to refrain from writing restaurant views on this blog (that’s what Zomato is for, right?) but every now and then, I find myself dining in a place so fantastic that it deserves its own post. Because Pajamas & Jam is SO MUCH MORE than just a restaurant – it’s a florist, an antique store, and pretty much where I want to spend the rest of my life.

From the moment you walk through the door, your senses are overwhelmed by glowing candles, boxes of fresh figs for sale and, of course, the smell of their signature lemon meringue. The place is run by a family of awesome women who know their stuff, and their stuff is good.

I am a huge fan of wine. I literally have a glass the size of “Big Joe” in Cougar Town, which I keep safe from the lips of housemates on my night stand. So when I was invited to spend the evening tasting the wares of Val du Charron in Wellington, I said SIGN ME UP. Although I’m familiar with the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Constantia routes, I had never set foot in this corner of wine country, and now I’m all like, where can I buy a Made in Wellington t-shirt.

Well, as you can imagine, the wine was incredible. We arrived in the late afternoon on a balmy summer’s day and were served icy Chardonnay while lounging by the pool. Next, snacks and glasses of Pinot Gris on the deck of the estate restaurant, The Local Grill. At this point you need to know that this is where you’ll find the best bobotie spring rolls on the planet, and I’m unashamed of how many I ate. (Up until this post, you’ve been thinking this was a health blog, right? Wrong.) Read More

Kate and I grew up in a super healthy home, where we were taught to eat fruit and veg or starve. (Thanks, mom.) Once, at a sleepover, I was fed “pizza” made out of white bread and viennas and my 9-year-old self died a little. Although we’ve become big fans of midnight McDonald’s runs over the years, my mother’s faith in good eating has stuck.

Today, like her, we’re kinda obsessed with Mary-Ann Shearer. Her philosophy for “Perfect Health” (also the title of her book) is simple and has changed SO many lives, including ours.

Nothing feels as great as klapping your body with some health first thing in the morning. After gulping down a smoothie filled with more fruit and veg than most people get on the daily, the last thing you want to do is reach into the cookie jar. Good on the hips, but – to be honest – Jen and I are even more concerned about what’s good on the lips.

Which is why we’ve decided to start sharing some of our favourite smoothie recipes throughout 2016. Take all the ingredients, pop them in your NutriBullet (best thing everrr) or blender, add some ice and blend ’til smooth. Your lips and hips will thank you!